UW CEAS Celebrates National Engineers Week Feb. 21

The University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) is celebrating National Engineers Week Feb. 21-25 by collaborating with professional groups to teach Wyoming elementary-age children about the profession.

Since 2015, the CEAS, the Wyoming Board of Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, the Wyoming Engineering Society and DiscoverE have collaborated on a free program that brings professional and college-level engineers into third grade classrooms. The program raises awareness about the field of engineering, and Wyoming students will be treated to a hands-on engineering activity. 

The goal is to inspire problem-solving and innovative thinking among students to encourage participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The theme of this year’s National Engineers Week celebration is “Reimagining the Possible.”

“One of the most important goals of this office is to inspire the next generation of engineers. Wyoming’s professional engineers give so much of their time, and their efforts definitely make a difference in students’ lives,” says Cindy Jones, CEAS K-12 outreach coordinator. “This program would not be possible without the generous sponsorship of UW alumni Andy and Kim Krieger and Union Telephone of Wyoming. The CEAS wishes to extend our sincerest appreciation for supporting this important outreach effort.”

During National Engineers Week, 3,123 of Wyoming’s 6,883 third graders -- approximately 45 percent -- are participating in various activities led by professional engineers and college-level engineers. Last week, Gov. Mark Gordon read the state of Wyoming’s Professional Engineers Week proclamation.

“I’m thrilled that the governor, through this proclamation, highlights the positive impact that engineering has on the state of Wyoming,” says Cameron Wright, CEAS dean. “Our own Cindy Jones has tirelessly worked to reach out to so many Wyoming third graders; her work is quite impressive.”

Towns in Wyoming with third graders scheduled to participate in National Engineers Week activities are: Baggs, Bar Nunn, Big Piney, Buffalo, Burns, Casper, Cheyenne, Cody, Cowley, Douglas, Gillette, Green River, Guernsey, Kaycee, Lander, Laramie, Meeteetse, Moorcroft, Mountain View, Pine Bluffs, Pinedale, Powell, Ranchester, Rawlins, Riverton, Rock Springs, Saratoga, Sheridan, Shoshoni, Sundance, Ten Sleep, Thermopolis, Urie and Worland.

Founded by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 1951 -- and carried on by DiscoverE, an organization that supports engineers and STEM -- National Engineers Week is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.

For more information about National Engineers Week, visit www.discovere.org.

To learn more about UW CEAS, visit www.uwyo.edu/ceps/.